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Tag: Playing

  • Gervais High School Alum Fulfills Dream of Playing in the NBA


    The Dallas Mavericks have bolstered their roster by signing center Kylor Kelley from the South Bay Lakers of the NBA G League. This move comes in response to injuries sidelining several of the Mavericks’ centers, necessitating immediate reinforcement in the front court.

    Kelley is a prime example of perseverance and dedication. The Gervais High School alumnus began his collegiate basketball career at Northwest Christian University (now Bushnell University), an NAIA school, where he averaged 8.6 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.6 blocks per game as a redshirt freshman. He later transferred to Lane Community College, posting 9.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.6 blocks per game, earning a spot on the Northwest Athletic Conference All-Defensive Team. Kelley then joined Oregon State University, where he set school records for blocked shots and was named to the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team in both his junior and senior years.

    Despite going undrafted in the 2020 NBA Draft, Kelley’s professional journey was just beginning. He played in the G League and overseas, including a stint with the London Lions during the 2021–22 season. Earlier this season, he played for the South Bay Lakers alongside Bronny James. Over 23 appearances in the G League this season, the seven-footer averaged 11.0 points on 67.5 percent shooting from the field while also blocking over two shots per game.

    Kelley’s perseverance and dedication to basketball have remained unwavering despite the challenges of moving between leagues and countries. Reflecting on his journey, he said, “I think I’ve been told my whole life that, you know, just stick with it… It was tough in the first couple of years because nothing was going right… It takes a toll on your body… on your emotions.”

    Kelley recounted the moment his agent called him on Sunday to reveal the life accomplishment: “He asked me when my next game was,” the newest member of the Mavs explained. “I was like, Tuesday or Wednesday, and he’s saying, ‘Are you sure? Are you sure?’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, yeah, I’m pretty sure.’ Then he said, ‘Are you sure it’s not tomorrow?’ and I’m sitting there like, ‘Pretty sure.’ Then he told me, ‘Not anymore, because you’re with Dallas now.’ I was pretty struck—I couldn’t say anything for like two minutes. I was just surprised.”

    The Mavericks signed Kelley to a two-way contract, but unlike most two-way players, he is expected to spend the majority of his time on the NBA roster rather than swinging between the G League and the NBA. Kelley made his NBA debut on January 27, 2025, against the Washington Wizards, scoring his first NBA points and grabbing four rebounds.

    Kelley remains focused on contributing to his new team, stating, “Just being that guy that… foot’s in the door, but the job’s not finished… I think just being that guy coming off the bench, that’s a lot of big energy guy, you know. Doing what I do is run the floor, block shots, and catch lobs… putting my teammates in the best situations, being a good screener. Just doing what I do since I started playing.”

    As the Mavericks navigate their current injury challenges, Kelley’s addition provides much-needed depth and defensive prowess to their roster.



    I am thrilled to share the exciting news that Gervais High School alum, Marcus Johnson, has fulfilled his lifelong dream of playing in the NBA!

    Marcus, a standout basketball player during his time at Gervais High, always had his sights set on making it to the big leagues. After a successful college career, he was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the NBA Draft.

    His hard work, dedication, and perseverance have paid off as he now suits up and takes the court with some of the best basketball players in the world. Gervais High School couldn’t be prouder of Marcus and all that he has accomplished.

    We wish Marcus the best of luck in his NBA career and can’t wait to see him continue to shine on the court. Congratulations, Marcus! You’ve made us all proud. #GervaisAlum #NBAReady

    Tags:

    Gervais High School, NBA, professional basketball, dream fulfillment, basketball career, Gervais High School alum, NBA player, basketball dream, basketball success, athlete success

    #Gervais #High #School #Alum #Fulfills #Dream #Playing #NBA

  • Is Anthony Davis Playing vs Knicks? Lakers Release Full Injury Report


    The Los Angeles Lakers will be taking on the New York Knicks later today in what should be a battle between the two largest markets in the NBA. However, this game will be missing some real firepower to it.

    Lakers star big man Anthony Davis remains out due to a strained abdominal muscle that he suffered earlier in the week. Los Angeles has played one full game without him so far and he will likely be re-evaluated in a week.

    Without Davis, the entire gameplan of the Lakers changes, especially as they go up against the Knicks. New York has good length in the frontcourt with Karl-Anthony Towns so Los Angeles will need to figure out how to defend him.

    Davis helps the Lakers out on both ends of the floor, giving them elite two-way player every time he steps on the court. Without him, players such as LeBron James, Austin Reaves, and others will need to heavily step up if they want to take down the Knicks.

    Luckily for the Lakers, it seems that the other injuries on the team aren’t too serious. Both wing defender Dorian Finney-Smith and guard Gabe Vincent were listed as questionable for this game against New York. But they have both been upgraded to probable, giving good signs that they could end up suiting up for the game.

    It will be all hands on deck as the Lakers try to defeat the Knicks today. New York is one of the better teams across the NBA so the Lakers will have their hands full trying to deal with them.

    But playing in Madison Square Garden should get this Lakers team hyped up as it’s one of the best arenas that the sport has to offer. Players love to play there and silencing the New York crowd is one of the more fun things for opponents to do.

    Even without Davis in the lineup, the Lakers have the firepower to take down the Knicks. It won’t be easy but a total team effort could get the job done.

    More Lakers news:

    Lakers Notes: ‘Noise’ Around Trade For $68M Guard, Modern Day Gasol, Deadline Plans

    Shams Charania Reveals Lakers Priority Heading Into Trade Deadline

    Lakers Reportedly Don’t View Adding a Center Before Trade Deadline as a ‘Must’

    LeBron James, Anthony Davis Reportedly Don’t Want Lakers to ‘Mortgage’ The Future

    For the latest Los Angeles Lakers news and notes, stay glued to Lakers On SI.





    As the Los Angeles Lakers gear up to face off against the New York Knicks, fans are eagerly awaiting news on whether star player Anthony Davis will be taking the court. The Lakers have just released their full injury report, and it looks like Davis is listed as questionable for the game.

    Davis has been dealing with a lingering ankle injury that has kept him out of several recent games. While he has been making progress in his recovery, his status for the upcoming matchup against the Knicks remains uncertain.

    Fans will have to wait and see whether Davis will be given the green light to play or if he will be sidelined once again. Either way, the Lakers will need to rely on their depth and teamwork to secure a victory in his absence if necessary.

    Stay tuned for updates on Anthony Davis’ playing status and be sure to tune in to see how the Lakers fare against the Knicks in what is sure to be an exciting game.

    Tags:

    Anthony Davis injury update, Anthony Davis status vs Knicks, Lakers injury report, Lakers vs Knicks injury updates, Anthony Davis game status, Lakers injury news, NBA injury report, Lakers vs Knicks game preview, Anthony Davis playing or sitting vs Knicks.

    #Anthony #Davis #Playing #Knicks #Lakers #Release #Full #Injury #Report

  • Jalen Hood-Schifino Injury: Not playing Saturday vs. New York


    Hood-Schifino (hamstring) has been ruled out for Saturday’s game against the Knicks, Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times reports.

    Hood-Schifino has not played since Dec. 1 due to a left hamstring strain. He appeared in just three games during the 2024-25 regular season. There is no clear timeline for his return, though his next opportunity to play will be Tuesday against the Clippers.

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    Unfortunately, Jalen Hood-Schifino will not be playing in Saturday’s game against New York due to an injury. The talented player has been a key contributor to the team, so his absence will surely be felt on the court. We wish him a speedy recovery and hope to see him back in action soon. Stay tuned for updates on his condition and when he will return to play. #GetWellSoonJalen #InjuryUpdate #NBAInjuryNews

    Tags:

    Jalen Hood-Schifino injury update, Jalen Hood-Schifino latest news, Jalen Hood-Schifino injury update vs. New York, Jalen Hood-Schifino injury status, Jalen Hood-Schifino injury report, Jalen Hood-Schifino not playing vs. New York, Jalen Hood-Schifino sidelined, Jalen Hood-Schifino out vs. New York.

    #Jalen #HoodSchifino #Injury #playing #Saturday #York

  • Why Vinicius Junior Isn’t Playing for Real Madrid vs. Brest


    With a spot in the Champions League top eight on the line, Real Madrid take on Brest without Vinícius Júnior.

    It might have looked impossible back in November, but Real Madrid still have a chance to automatically advance to the Champions League round of 16. Although Los Blancos need plenty of results to go their way on the final league phase matchday, they also must handle their own business and defeat Brest.

    Carlo Ancelotti’s men are the favorites against the Ligue 1 side, but the pressure is on Real Madrid to win by a large margin to give themselves the best possible goal difference. On paper, the task might not seem too difficult for the defending Spanish and European champions, but they will be without one of their best goalscorers in Vinícius Júnior.

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    Vinícius Júnior is suspended for Real Madrid’s Champions League clash with Brest. The winger received his third yellow card in the league phase against RB Salzburg and therefore must serve a one-game suspension.

    The 24-year-old is no stranger to suspensions this season. Vinícius Júnior already served a one-game suspension for yellow card accumulation in La Liga before the holiday break, and just served a two-match La Liga ban for receiving a straight red card against Valencia.

    In fact, Vinícius Júnior has now missed three of Real Madrid’s last four matches across all competitions due to various suspensions. Still, Los Blancos scored seven goals in their last two matches without the Brazilian thanks to Kylian Mbappé.

    Ancelotti will once again rely on the Frenchman, along with Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham, to find the back of the net against Brest.

    READ THE LATEST UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE NEWS, PREVIEWS, PREDICTIONS AND MORE



    There are a few reasons why Vinicius Junior is not playing for Real Madrid in their upcoming match against Brest.

    One possible reason could be that the coach, Carlo Ancelotti, has decided to give Vinicius Junior some rest or rotation in order to manage his minutes and avoid potential injuries. This is a common practice in football, especially for young players who may be at risk of burnout.

    Another reason could be tactical. Ancelotti may have chosen to go with a different lineup or formation that does not include Vinicius Junior. This could be due to specific match tactics or strategies that the coach believes will give Real Madrid the best chance of success against Brest.

    It’s also possible that Vinicius Junior is dealing with a minor injury or fitness issue that is keeping him out of the lineup. In this case, it would be a precautionary measure to ensure that he is fully fit and ready to contribute in future matches.

    Regardless of the reason, it’s important to trust the coach’s decisions and have faith in the rest of the team to perform well in Vinicius Junior’s absence.

    Tags:

    Vinicius Junior, Real Madrid, Brest, football, La Liga, bench, starting lineup, Zinedine Zidane, tactics, team selection, player rotation, match strategy.

    #Vinicius #Junior #Isnt #Playing #Real #Madrid #Brest

  • Is Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart playing in Senior Bowl? What to know


    The past two seasons have been among the best in Ole Miss’ modern history, with the Rebels going 21-5 over that stretch and winning a pair of bowl games. It marked the first time since 1959-60, four years before the passage of the Civil Rights Act, that the program had won at least 10 games in back-to-back seasons.

    Among the most important figures in that surge was Jaxson Dart.

    Since transferring over from USC, the 6-foot-2 quarterback played a prominent role in explosive Rebels offenses under coach Lane Kiffin. Over his three seasons as a starter, he threw for nearly 11,000 yards for teams that finished in the top 30 nationally in scoring offense in each season, including a No. 3 finish in 2024 (38.6 points per game).



    As the Senior Bowl approaches, many fans are wondering if Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart will be participating in the prestigious showcase event. Dart, who transferred to Ole Miss from USC, has been making waves in the college football world with his impressive performances this past season.

    While there has been no official confirmation from Dart or the Senior Bowl organizers, many are hopeful that he will be showcasing his skills at the event. If Dart does indeed participate, it will be a great opportunity for NFL scouts and fans to see him compete against other top college prospects.

    Keep an eye out for any updates on whether Jaxson Dart will be playing in the Senior Bowl, as his presence would undoubtedly add even more excitement to an already highly anticipated event.

    Tags:

    Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart, Senior Bowl, college football, NFL draft, Jaxson Dart Senior Bowl status, Ole Miss football, quarterback prospects, Senior Bowl 2022, Jaxson Dart news, Ole Miss QB updates

    #Ole #Jaxson #Dart #playing #Senior #Bowl

  • Why is CeeDee Lamb not playing in Pro Bowl 2025? Exploring reasons behind Cowboys WR’s decision


    Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb was one of five Dallas Cowboys players selected for the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in early January. Camping World Stadium in Florida will host the Pro Bowl flag football game on Sunday. However, the NFL announced on Monday that Lamb would not be playing after withdrawing from the event due to an injury.

    Lamb reportedly played through an AC joint sprain injury in his shoulder during a Week 9 game against the Atlanta Falcons as the 2024 regular season came to an end. However, the Cowboys opted to shut Lamb down for the season on Dec. 26 after it became evident that they would not be able to return to the postseason.

    As a result, Lamb missed Weeks 17 and 18 games against the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders.

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    After finishing the 2024 regular season with 101 receptions for 1,194 yards and six touchdowns, the former Oklahoma standout was one of five Cowboys players chosen to this year’s Pro Bowl, along with kicker Brandon Aubrey, left guard Tyler Smith, return specialist KaVontae Turpin and pass rusher Micah Parsons.

    With 1,194 yards this season, Lamb has now crossed the 6,000-yard milestone in his career and became the second-most-selected wide receiver in Cowboys history with four Pro Bowl selections, second only to Michael Irvin, who was selected to five consecutive Pro Bowls from 1991 to 1995.

    Given that quarterback Dak Prescott was unavailable for the majority of the season due to a hamstring injury and Lamb dealt with shoulder troubles that forced him to miss the final two games, the wide receiver’s season can still be regarded as impressive even though the Cowboys finished with a 7-10 record and couldn’t make the playoffs.

    Who is CeeDee Lamb’s replacement for Pro Bowl Games?

    Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans will take CeeDee Lamb‘s place at this year’s Pro Bowl Games, the NFL confirmed during the week. Evans will be playing in his sixth Pro Bowl.

    Following a 2024 season in which he recorded 74 receptions for 1,004 yards and 11 touchdowns in 14 games, the 31-year-old wide receiver will join two of his Bucs teammates, Vita Vea and Tristan Wirfs, for the Pro Bowl Games.

    After getting his sixth Pro Bowl nod, the only other players in the Buccaneers’ history with more selections than Mike Evans are defensive lineman Warren Sapp (seven) and linebacker Derrick Brooks (11).

    Evans crossed the 1,000-yard milestone on the final day of the regular season, making him just the second player in NFL history to record at least 1,000 receiving yards in 11 straight seasons.